Jon Lester selects No. 34

Photos of Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester.

Jon Lester will wear jersey number 34 after 31 was retired.

There was no chance that Jon Lester would get the opportunity to wear jersey No. 31 with the Cubs, especially after Ferguson Jenkins sported that number before being inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Greg Maddux wore the same number before the Cubs retired it in 2009 – five years before he was inducted into the Hall.

So before choosing No. 34, Lester sought former Cubs standout Kerry Wood for permission and received it.

“I remember watching him as a young pitcher,” said Lester, who was 14 when Wood, then 20, struck out 20 against the Houston Astros in 1998. “I don’t want to date him. I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”

Lester also did his homework in researching the history of those Hall of Fame athletes who have worn 34.

“There’s the Walter Payton aspect,” Lester said out of respect to the late, great Bears running back. “And the personal aspect of me watching Nolan Ryan, studying his career and being a part of that. (No. 34) always has been one of my favorite numbers, other than 31.”

Lester t-shirts with his number on the back are expected to go on sale at Cubs Clubhouse stores next weeks, and jerseys will be available next month.